Apparatus for supporting curtains



FIGA.

Sept. 4, 1934. H F. SMH-H 1,972,604

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING CURTAINS FIGA) Howard )Trader-wx. Shu-Hx INVENTO 'EJ @.1 Rg RTW.

sept. 4, 1934. F 5mg 1,972,604

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING CURTAINS Filed March 19, 1954 2 sheets-shewh 2 l l l *1115, l]

Patented Sept. 4, 1934 invasor l. Y APBAfrmmUsf For; surrolvrmo CURTAINS'.

Howard Fredericksniith, Birmingham. England.

Application March- 19,.l 1934; Serial- No; '716;316

for apparatus constructed ih accordance with thisv vIn Great Britain-December 16, 1932 2,0'.` Claims.4 (Cl.4 1561-20) Thisl invention relates" to curtain' supporting' apparatus of'I the kind' which' includes arail upon' which a number `of runners aremounted; 'to which runners4 the curtains are" attached, the appara'- tus also includinga cord and at least onefgma'sterM runner for each curtain; the masterrunnershavr ing'an attachment to theco'rd". Referring to the drawingsr- Figure l' is a front. elevation' showing4 one form` invention. v

Figurev 2is'a section ofsame. n Figurel 3' shows tol an' enlarged scale. thearrangement' ofith'e'niaster runners; j

Figure Liis a perspective view'shotving the' cord4 clip' used in the construction illustrated' in ures 1-3 Figure shows a modied forin'of clip; L Figure 6 is a detail View showing the'pulleys for the cords at' the end'of therail section;

Figure '7 is a det'ail'viewshovving an'alternative section of`rail;

Figure S isY a section showing ai still? furtherj mo'dication; Y l

FigureV 9 is a section through aA still*further?v modification.

Figure` 10 showsY aslightly modiiiedisectionof" rail. v

Figure 11` is a' diagrammatic View showingthe curtain overlap possible with lthe construction according t'o tliis'invention;

Figure 125 member. y l

Figurev 13 is a section showing saidl stop at'-, 'tachedto arail;

In the construction illustrat'edn Figures" 11-4;

the apparatus includes a rail comprisingV a; cen-V tral vertical web I0; above and belowwhichfare' provided a pair ofsl'otteditubular portions 11 andi' 1 12for housing the`oppositely moving portions' of" the cord, the rail' further beingprovided with ai pair of' spaced vertcaliianges 13'an`d"14*arranged"` one abovethe otherat each side ofthe rail; each pair constituting a complete track'forfthecurtain lrunners.

In addition, the rail'is formedwitharrirtegral` portion 1'5" for engagement' by the supr'iortingv brackets 1'6, thisV portion 15 being of-T section and being retained-in the correspondinglyjshapei -islots li'in the bracket lfi'bymeans of' a securingl screw 18. i

The slots 19` in the' tubular'portions are' ar'- rariged'fon opposite sides of the'railLandj between-V the vertical and horizontal' centre linesf of;` thei cross-section of each tubular'part, this arrange-5:-

is a perspectiveviewof a stopf n ing, through. anl aperturejin the tubularpart 29 :the pulleyl 372 mentlallowingthe raily toA be'bent as required; for

eXample,.to conform tothe shape of a baywin'- dow., without causingthe cord'to leave the slots or the latter to-openorclose locally.v

Runners 20ofordinary'construction, each come prlsing a pairjof' rollers 21. connectedibya looplike l`ranger22`i extendingbeneath the rail; are

mounted alo-ng the" length" of` the rail' for supportngthecurtain as is usual, andf'or the lead- Y ing' edge off'eacli. curtain a master runner 23 is l provided, the const'ructionof s uch master runner beingfshown' inFigure 3; I n y Each such runner includes a plate carrying a 'pair of"rollers--24;arranged in side by side relationship and engaging the track at' onlyY one` sidfeio'f the rai1;[the" plate being formed with a Y downwardly extending portionv 25Y provided with a ring'26'for` theatt'a'chment ofY the curtain;

VOne of these master'runners'i's provided at' its upperpartwith anV extension for engagement with aV cord' clip' asY shown on the right hand'side` of" Figure v3;,and' this upper portion isforked or slotted. to form a pair'. ofiarms 27 engaging one on eitherside of. a block or head 28'on` thejcord clip... The Ylatter is also formed with a tubular portion 29engagin`g in the tubular-part 12er" the rail;s a neel:` 30' connectingthetubularpart,29Y

the slot 1'9. Y "I'h'e cord' 31 passies' through theltubular parts 12'and 29; and the"cord"clip-is fastenedv to? thecord by means of. afclamping screw 32"proje`ctA The master runner forfthe-right hand curtain asshown in" Figure 1'is`slottedat 33' atI its lower part, anda cord` clip asi describedl above is secured to the cord inthelower tubular'part 11, the head' of' this clip' engagingA in the recess 33 as sli'ownin'the lefthanclv side off-Figure At one end of' the rail isw attacliedf a: housing 34' for a; cordgpully around whichv the cord is looped," andiatt the"l opposite end isattached a further houfsi`ng35`- in which`I are mountedapair o'pulleys 36: and-37; the'upper'cordpassingove'i1 the-pulley 36J and thelower cord overA the pulley AB'Fas shown onthe'ri'ghtfhandfside offFigure 1i.

fr' continuous lengthy ofY cord" thus 5 extends` from. theright hand'sid'e of therail, over the pulley `36, along the tubular part'- 12 tothe lefthand side or" the rail; -aroundiv the pulley at that endi and ico thenoe'la'ckalongv'the tubular part 1`=1 and'over The housings carrying the-pulleys are oiA cagelike'-forrn havingfportionslor projections which..

extend over the cord when it is engaging the pulley.

Each plate is formed with one or more pressed out projections 53 for engagement with the tubular part l1 to space the master runners at their lower edges.

Each master runner is provided with a lug 54 at each side of the rollers 24, these lugs being bent to extend across ythe edge of the rollers at the leading and trailing edge ofthe master runner to prevent the rollers of the master lrunner fouling with the rollers of the ordinary runners.

The lugs-54 engage the ordinary runners, when the curtains are drawn apart, `to vlimit the extent to which the master runners can be moved towards the ordinary runners. If desired balls or rollers could be provided in place ofthe projections 53. p. v

In operation, one curtain is attached to the master runner mounted on the track at oneside of the rail and to a number of ordinary runners engaging both tracks, whilst the other curtain is attached to the master runner engaging the track at the other side of the rail and upon a suitable number of ordinary runners engaging both tracks.

d One master runner is 'secured to the upper run of cord by means or" a c ord clip, and the other master runner is secured tothe lower run of cord.

If required there may be two or moremaster runners vfor each curtain., the "number of such runners for each curtain controlling the amount of overlap, since the master runners'can pass one another as they engage the track at only one side of the rail and the curtains can be overlapped by a corresponding amount.

Operation of the cords in one or other direction moves the curtairi'towards orv away from one another, depending upon the direction in which the cords are moved.

The cord clip illustrated in Figure 5 .is formed 'from sheet metal pressed to form the tubular part 29, the neck and the head 28. A retaining' screw is mounted in a screw threadeddhole `39 in at opposite sides of the rail and along the upper edge of the lower tubular part 11.

runners engage both tracks so that they cannot pass one another and the curtains cannot be overlapped.

In a further modification illustrated' in Figure.

L8, the rail is constructed of a cross sectional shape which provides nearly the same resistance to bending on either side of the vertical plane passing through the web, so that the rail can be `bent as required without serious distortion.v

Tubular parts 44 and 45 are provided oneon either side of the vertical web 46, the tubular part 45 being at the lower edge of the web whilst the tubular part 44 is at the centre of the height of the web including the portion 47 for engagement Vwith the kattachment brackets. y v

In this construction the yrunners with a track constituted by a single horizontal flange 48 at theupper edgeiof the tubular; part 45, and each roller, is .mounted` upona hanger are each provided, with la single cylindricall roller engaging Ain a similar manner with the exception that the 'arm extending at the back of the web is projected upwardly as shown at 52 and is shaped to engage a cord clip secured to the cord in the tubular part '44. Such master runner would of course not be l Jcured one to-each of the leading edges of the two curtains, and whilst the curtains can be drawn together or moved apart by operation of the cords, thecurtains cannot bev overlapped, but the leadingv edges can only be drawn into abutting relationship. d l

In the modification illustrated in Figure 9, the rail is constructed'of section corresponding with that adopted in the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 3,v except that the integral attachment flange 15'is' omitted, and the rail is provided on'the'ilpper' tubular 'part 12 with two integral ribs or beads 5'7 which extend longitudinallyl of the rail and are formed integrally therewith.

The rail is adapted to be mounted in position by means of brackets each of which is provided at its projecting end with a seat portion formed d upper tubular part 12 and the lower tubular part 11 are slotted on the same side of the rail instead of on opposite sides as in the previously described constructions.

In the slight modiiication illustrated in Figure `10, the rail is constructed with flanges 13 and 14 and longitudinal ribs 57 as described with Vreference to Figure 9, but Vthe tubular parts 12 Upon these tracks are mounted cylindrical rollers in place of the grooved rollers 24 in the con` struction illustrated in Figures 1-3. The master and 11 are slotted on opposite sides of therail.

In Figure 11 is illustrated diagrammatically the manner in which a number' of curtains can be moved into overlapping relationship, and it will be appreciated that two curtains 58 and 59 can be overlapped at their meeting edges by as large an amount as desired by providing two or moreA master runners at the leading edge of each curtain', these being mounted of course upon a rail of a form described with reference to Figures 1 lto 3 or Figures 9 and 10, enabling the desired overlap of curtains.A

The two edges of the curtain 58 may be moved in oppositeA directions so that, for example, the centre of the curtain located substantially` op- 'posite tofth'elwindow post 60 canv be anchored to the-rail, and each` edge of the curtain would then be drawn towards this post and to the centre or anchored position of the curtain.

In order to locate or anchor the centre of the curtainwith respect to a definite position on the rail', and to limit or stop the movement of the runners up to this position',v an anchoring stop of the form illustrated in Figure 12 may be-secured to the railas shown in Figure 13.V

Thisistop is formed from a strip of metal bent upon itself to form a double portion 61, and a pair of attachment arms 62, 63 disposed in spaced relationship for engagement with the flanges 13 and 14 at one side of the rail.

- The end of eacharm 62, 63 ris bent outwardly to form a retaining ange 64, and the stop is mounted in position as shown in Figure 13 by engaging these anges 64 behind the iianges 13 and 14. The stop is then locked in position by means of a stud 65 engaging in ascrew threaded hole in a pressed up boss 66 in the lower arm 63, the end of the stud engaging the underside of the arm 62 so that by suitable adjustment of the stud the arms 62 and 63 can be separated and` clamped upon the flanges 13 and 14 of the rail.

The stop may be secured to the rail at a po-v sition opposite'to the vertical post as illustrated diagrammatically at 60 in Figure 11, and the centre part of the curtain can be anchored to this stop which is apertured atv 67.

Thus, the curtain can be located with the stop which also projects across the flanges 13 and 14 and consequently forms a stop for *the runners upon Y,which the remainder of the curtain is mounted.

With a construction according to this invention a single rail can operate six `light curtains or a smaller number of heavier curtains, and move them simultaneously in any desired direction, some vfor example being moved in one direction, and others in the opposite direction, whilst if 4desired the two ends of the same curtain cany be `moved in opposite directions towards and away from one another. All such adjustments can be made with a single cord, and the master runners can readily be clamped tothe cord in any desired position by tightening the clamping screws 32 carried by the master runners.

The operating cords enclosed Within the tubular parts of the rail consequently cannot .get entangled with the supporting hooks Vor other portions of the apparatus, whilstY the appearance of the structure is substantially improved by the Vreduction in number of guide brackets necessary in the apparatus.

The rail can be bent without local distortion of the tubular parts for Ahousing the cords, and consequently the operation of the apparatus is facilitated since the tubular parts do Vnot become closed or opened at the bends and consequently the cords can be moved freely'around f the bends without tendency for the cords to move out of position.

A single length of rail may accommodate any number of pairs of curtains and permit some being moved simultaneously in an opposite direction to the other, it being understood that there will be at least one master runner and one cord clip for each curtain.

What I claim then isz- 1. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, runners mounted on said rail for supportinga curtain, a master runner for the leading edge oi said curtain, an operating cord to which said master runner is attached, a pair of slottedtu bular parts on said rail for housing the cord and a trackor tracks for said runners.

2. Curtain supporting apparatus including a. rail, runners 'mountedon said rail forV supporting a curtain, a .master runner for the leading` edge of said curtain, an operating cord to which said master runner is attached, a pair of slotted;

tubular parts ion said -ra'il4 for housing 4the cord and two complete 'tracks for said runners, veach track being adapted to form a completesupport for a :master runner.

3. Curtain supporting lapparatus including a rail, .runners mounted on said rail for supporting a curtain, further runners on `said rail for supporting a second curtain, a master runner for theleading edge of each curtain, a pair of slotted tubular `parts extending longitudinallyof -said rail, :a cord in said tubular parts, means for connecting said :master vrunners to said cord, said means vextending lthrough Vthe slots in said tubularparts, and two complete tracks for said runners-each track being adapted to form a complete support .for one ofsaid master runners to allow said master runners to pass one another for overlappingthe edges ofsaid curtains.

l4. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, .a web onsaid rail,.a pair of upper and lower tubular parts extending longitudinally of said web, each of rsaid tubularparts being longitudinally slottediand connected to saidweb, flanges on said lowerftubular part adjacent eachside of said web; vrunners nioimted on said flanges for supportinga curtain, further runners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, a master runner for vthe leading edge of each curtain, a cord in said tubular parts, means for connecting said master runners to said-cord, said means extending through the slots in said tubular parts, andthe master runners being mounted on and completely supported by the flanges on respective opposite sides of said web to allow said master runners to pass `one another for overlapping the edges -of said curtains.

5. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, :a web onsa'id rail, anupper tubular' part extending adjacent the-upper longitudinal edge of said web, `a Alower vtubular part lextending adjacent` the lower longitudinal edge of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted and connected'to said web, flanges on said lower tubular part adjacent each sideof said web, runners mounted on said iianges for supporting a curtain, rfurther runners on said flanges for supporting a Asecond curtain, a master runner for `the'leadingedge Yof each curtain, a cord in said tubular parts, means for connecting said master-runners to said ucord, said means extending through ythe slots in said tubular parts, and .the master runners being mounted on and completely supported by the flanges on opposite sides of said web .to allow said master runners to pass one another said curtains. y

6. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail, an upper tubular part extending adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part extending adjacent the Vlower longitudinal edge of said web, each of said tubular parts being llongitudinally slotted and connected to said web, an upwardly projecting flange on said lower tubular part at each side of said web, a downwardly `projecting flange on Vsaid upper tubular part at eachside of said web, runners mounted on said flanges forsupporting a curtain, further runnerson said flanges for supportinga secondcurtain, a master runner for the leading edge of each curtain, a cord in -said tubular parts, means for connecting said vmaster runners to said cord, said means extending through the slots in said tubular parts,

andthe master runners being mounted onand completely supported 'by the flanges on `opposite kfor overlapping the edges of to pass one another -for.overlapping the edges of said curtains. f J. Y

7. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on saidrail, an upper tubular part extending adjacent the upper longitudinal edgev of said web, a lower tubular. part extending adjacent the lower longitudinal edge Yof said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted and connected to said web, an upwardly projecting flange on said lower tubular part at each side of said web, a downwardly projecting'flange on said uppertubular part at eachvside of said web, runners mounted onfsaid flanges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, said runners engaging said flanges on both sides of said web, a master runner .for the leading 'edgeof each curtain, each of said master runners engaging flanges at one side of said web to `allow said master runners to pass one another for overlapping the edges of said curtains, a cord in said tubular parts, andmeans for lconnecting said master runners to said cord, said means extending through the slots in said tubular parts.

8. Curtain supporting ,apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail, a pair of tubular parts extending longitudinally of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted jand connected to said web, flanges on said lower tubuiar part adjacent each :side of said web, an integral attachment portion along the upper longitudinal edge of said rail, said portion being of beaded section for engaging attachmentbrack- -Aets, runners mounted on said vanges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, a master runnerffor the leading edge of each curtain, a cord in said tubular parts, means for connecting said master runners to said cord, said means extending through the slots in said tubular parts, and

each of said master runners engaging flanges at one side of said web to allow said master runners to pass one another for overlapping the edges of said curtains. i

9, Curtain supporting apparatus including a nil, a web on said rail, an upper tubular part xtending adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part extending adjac nt the lower longitudinalfedge of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted,

an integral attachment portion along the upper longitudinal edge of said rail, said portion being of beaded section for engaging attachment brackets, an upwardly projecting flange on said 'lower tubular part at each side of said web, a

downwardly projecting ange on said upper tubular part at each. side of said web, .runners mounted on said flanges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said flanges for ksupporting 'a second curtain, said runners engaging said flanges on both sides of said web, a master runner for the leading edge of each curtain, each of said master runners engaging anges at one side of said web to allow said master runners to pass one another for overlapping the edges of said curtains, a cord in said tubular parts, and means for connecting said master runners to said cord, said means extendingfthrough the slots in said tubular parts. i

l0. Curtain supporting apparatusv including a rail, a web on said rail, an upper tubularvpart extending adjacentithe upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part extending adja- `."cent the lower longitudinal edge of said web, said.

sides ofsaid web to allow said master runnersV tubular parts being on opposite sides `of said web and-'being slotted longitudinally, an upwardly projecting flange on said lower tubular part at each side of said web, a downwardly projecting flange on said upper tubular part at each side of said web, runners mounted on said flanges for supporting a curtain,` further runners on said flanges for supportingasecond curtain, said runners engaging said flanges on both sides of said web, a master-'runner for the leading edge of each curtain, a cord in said tubular parts, means i'or connecting said master runners to said cord, said means extending through the slots in said tubular parts, and each of said master runners engaging flanges at one side of said web to allow said master runners to pass one another for overlappingthe edges of said curtains.

1l. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail, a pair of upper and lower tubular parts extending longitudinally of said web, each of said tubular -parts being longitudinally slotted and connected to said web, flanges on said lower tubular part adjacent each side of said web, runners mounted-on said flanges for supporting a curtain, further yrunners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, a master runner for the leading edge'of each curtain, a cord in said tubular parts, a cord clip for connecting each master runner tosaid cord, aneck on each clip extending through said slot, a portion on the cuter end of said neck engaging said master runner, and each of' said master runnersengaging flanges at one side of said web to vallow said master runners to pass one another for overlapping the edges of said curtains.

' 12. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail, an upper tubular part eX- tending adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part'extending adjacent the lower longitudinal edge of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted, an upwardly protecting flange on said lower tubular part at each side of said web, Aa downwardly projecting flange on said upper tubular part at each side of said web, runnersmounted on said anges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, said runners engaging said flanges on both sides of said web,`av master runner for the leading edge of each curtain, a cord in said tubular parts, a cord clip for connecting each master runner to said cord, a neck on each Iclip extending through said slot, a portion on the'outer end of said neck engaging said master runner, and each of said master runners engaging flanges at one side of said web.

13. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail,` an upper tubular part extending adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part extending adjacent thelower longitudinal edge of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted and connected to said rail, anupwardly projecting angefon said lower tubular part at each side of saidweb, a downwardly projecting ilange on said upper tubular part at each side of said web, runners mounted on said flanges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, said runners engaging said flanges onhboth sides of said web, 4a master runner for the leading edge of each curtain, each of said master runners having an attachment plate with a cut away recess,

a cord in said tubular parts, aY cord'clip for connecting each master runner to r'said cord, a neck on each clip extending through said slot, a part on the projecting endof said neck, said part engaging in said cut away recess, and each of said master runners engaging flanges at one side of said'web.

14. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail, a pair of tubular parts extending longitudinally of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted and connected to said web, flanges on said lower tubular part adjacent each side of said web, runners mounted on said flanges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, a master runner for the leading edge of each curtain, each o1 said master runners having an attachment plate with a cut away recess, a cordv in said tubular parts, a cord clip for connecting each master runner to said cord, an eye on each clip, said eye engaging in one ci said tubular parts and threading over said cord, a neck connected to said eye and extending through said slot, a part on the projecting end of said neck, said part engaging in said cut away recess, a clamping stud extending through said neck to clamp said cord in said eye, and each of said. master runners engaging flanges at one side of said web.

15. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail, an upper tubular part extending adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part extending adjacent the lower longitudinal edge of said web, each or" said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted and connected to said web, flanges on said lower tubular part adjacent each side of said web, runners mounted on said flanges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, a master runner for the leading edge of each curtain, each of said master runners having an attachment plate with a cut away recess, a cord in said tubular parts, a cord clip for connecting each master runner to said cord, an eye on each clip, said eye engaging in one of said tubular parts and treading over said cord, a neck connected to said eye and extending through said slot, a part on the projecting end of said neck, said part engaging in said cut away recess, a clamping stud extending through said neck to clamp said cord in said eye, and each of said master runners engaging flanges at one side of said web.

16. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail, an upper tubular part extending adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part extending adjacent the lower longitudinal edgerof said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted and connected to saidV web, flanges on said lower tubular part adjacent each side of said web, runners mounted onsaid flanges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, a master runner for the leading edge of each curtain, a cord in said tubular parts, means for connecting said master runners to said cord, said means extending through the slots in said tubular parts, the'master runners being mounted on and completely supported by the flanges on opposite sides of Said web, longitudinally extending ribs on said upper tubular part, and attachment brackets engaging said ribs. j Y

17. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail, an upper tubular part extending adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part extending adjacent the Vlower longitudinal edge of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted and connected to said web, anges on said lower tubular part adjacent each side of said web, runners mounted on said flanges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said flanges for supporting a second curtain, a master runner for the leading edge of each curtain, a cord in said tubular parts, a'cord clip for connecting each master runner to said cord, an eye oneach clip, said eye engaging in one of said tubular parts and threading over said cord, a neck connected to said eye and extending through said slot, a portion on the outer end of said neck engaging said master runner, a clamping stud extendingthrough said neck to clamp said cord in said eye, each of said master runners engaging flanges at one side of said web to allow said master runners to pass one another for overlapping the edges of said curtains, longi-` tudinally extending ribs on said upper tubular part, and attachment brackets engaging said ribs.

18. Curtain supporting apparatus including a rail, a web on said rail, an upper tubular part extending adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part extending adjacent the lower longitudinal edge of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted, an upwardly projecting ilange on said lower tubular part at each side of said web, a downwardly projecting iiange on said upper tubular part at each side of said web, runners mounted on said flanges for supporting a curtain, further runners on said iianges for supporting a second curtain, a master runner for the leading edge of eachcurtain, a cord in said tubular parts, means for connecting said master runners to said cord, said means extending through the slots in said tubular parts, a stop for said runners, a pair of spaced arms on said stop engageable with the flanges at one side of the web, a connecting portion for said arms, said connecting portion being adapted for anchoring one of said curtains, a clamping screw acting between said arms and each of said master runners engaging flanges at one side of said web to allow said master runners to pass one another for overlappingV the edges of said curtains.

19. A rail for curtain supporting apparatus including a web, an upper tubular part extending adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of said web, a lower tubular part extending adjacent the lower longitudinal edge of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted and connected to said web, and anges on said lower tubular part adjacent each side of said web, said flanges being adapted to form two complete tracks for curtain supporting runners.

20. A rail for curtain supporting apparatus including a web, an upper tubular part extending adjacent the upper longitudinal edgeof said web, a lower tubular part extending adjacent the lower Sill longitudinal edge of said web, each of said tubular parts being longitudinally slotted, an upwardly projectingflange on said lower tubularY part at eachk side of said web, and a downwardly projecting iiange on said upper tubular part at each side of said web, said flanges being adapted to form two completetracks for curtain supporting runners.

Y I HOWARD FREDERICK SMITH. 

